By
Gasper Crasto / Kuwait
Her
determination is to inspire indigenous orphans; she takes every opportunity to
amplify her voice towards the downtrodden and helps in the cause.
Sheena
Gracias is herself an orphan brought up at Lar de Santa Terezinha Orphanage,
Pajifond, Margao, Goa.
Gifted
with an in-built quality of singing, Sheena has made her way up the singing
world and is now a regular performer on professional Konkani stage. She also features
in choir singing and operas.
ππππππΌ’π πππππ: πππ π½ππππππππ
Sheena’s
story began when she was in the 6th grade, just 11 years old, at St.
Joseph High School, Nagoa Verna.
Her
talent in singing was noticed by her teachers and received great encouragement
to carry on. Since then, there was no looking back for the talented girl as everyone
supported her to sing.
Sheena’s
story is on the rise today because of the backing by her mentors, friends and
priests who have encouraged her to take up singing.
She
is all praise for Fr. Peter Cardozo who has encouraged her on the way.
“In
2009, he gave me an opportunity to sing for his choir and then the Opera, he
also helped to train me in my voice modulation,” recalls Sheena.
She
made it to the finals of All Goa Singing Competition and has been performing in
front of huge audiences ever since.
ππππππΌ πππΌπΎππΌπ - ππΌπππ πππΌππ
She
is all praise to the Carmelite priests, Margao, in-charge of the Lar de Santa
Terezinha orphanage, who encouraged her all through.
“Both
former director of Lar Fr. Alvito Fernandes and Fr. Archie Gonsalves allowed me
sing and showcase my talent in Goa as well as abroad.”
Sheena
got to sing for Goan beat-group band Genesis and perform with them in Dubai.
ππππππΌ’π ππππππΌπ πππΏπππ
The talented girl has done
playback singing/acting for Konkani Hindi as well as Marathi albums.
Some of her popular videos on
YouTube are:
Oh Maria - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgceto4LShs
Aei Dil-Kallali Mala - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwTHszuqyKo
Phone Etoch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITwXUJqN20Q
In 2019, Sheena was part of Sammy
Tavares’ troupe for the hit drama ‘Bhurgim Kiteak Sozmonat’ which was staged in
the Gulf, Europe and USA; Sheena sang the opening chorus of the drama, and a
duet with superstar Lawry Travasso apart from a cameo.
She is also seen in Samuel
Carvalho’s video film.
Currently, Sheena is singing for
Lawry Travasso’s drama ‘Porot Mogan Podd’ and preparing for Franky Gonsalves
drama ‘Lion King’. She will also be a part of Lawry Travasso’s Lenten
production.
There is no looking back. That’s
the story so far.
πΎππππππ πππΌπππ
‘I surround myself with good people who make me
feel great and give me positive energy,’ is one of Sheena’s status on her
Facebook Timeline.
She
teaches music at the same school that she learnt - at St. Joseph High School,
Nagoa, Verna. She is also a skin care beautician and caters to clients all over
Goa.
πΌπΎππππππππππ
·
A finalist of Goencho Avaz - 2016
·
Finalist of Nightingale of Goa - 2017
·
Completed 5th grade in vocals, Trinity
College of Music, London with distinction 2018.
·
Completed my first grade in keyboard
from Trinity College of Music, London.
ππΌππΎπ πππ πππ πππ πππΌπ
See the star at his best in a star-studded 4K
mega Konkani ‘AMI GOENKAR’ presented by dynamic Goan writer-director Shri
Fidelis Fernandes scheduled to take place on 21st February 2020 at the
luxurious Khaldiya University auditorium.
Mangalorean film actress and entertainer Ester
Noronha, will be one of the major attractions of the show.
Iconic superstars of Konkani stage booked to
entertain are Lawry Travasso, Seby de Divar, Comedian Agostinho Temudo,
Comedian Janet, Comedian Domnic, and Comedian Ben Evangelisto.
Popular and upcoming artistes that will also don
the stage include Goa’s global superstar Sanio Fernandes, Everleigh
Mascarenhas, Slenzitta D’Cruz, Elaine Pinto, Frenzie Vito Rodrigues, Fernandes,
Stacey Mesquita & Sheena Gracias.
A select cast of Kuwait-based artistes Balthazar
Pontes, Seby Mascarenhas, Seby D’Silva, Clemmie Almeida, Esparansa, and Gasper
Crasto will make the team.
